Summary
- Even European countries with low or zero tuition fees in public universities, such as Germany and Norway still demand proof of living funds for a visa.
- The Fulbright-Nehru International Fellowship is also one of the most comprehensive scholarships that offers tuition coverage, a living stipend, J-1 visa support, and airfare to Indian students.
- You might win a scholarship that only covers tuition fees and still fall short as living costs and travel remain unfunded.
The number of Indian students studying abroad increased by 52.2% between 2019 and 2023, with many relying on scholarships and loan options to fund their education. Delhi is one of the top Indian cities from where aspiring students head abroad for higher education.
However, the costs of studying abroad are rising across major destinations, which remains a friction point for students from India, including students from Delhi.
- Tuition fee in the USA increases by an average of 5.6% a year. A four-year full-time undergraduate course at an in-state public college costs about USD 11,610 (INR 10.3 lakh) in 2024, while a private nonprofit four-year course fee was USD 43,350 (NR 38 lakh).
- Similarly, a master’s programme now costs £19,500 (23 lakh) in the UK and roughly AUD 36,000 (INR 20.5 lakh) in Australia per year, and that’s before you’ve factored in living costs.
- Even European countries with low or zero tuition fees in public universities, such as Germany and Norway still demand proof of living funds for a visa. Accommodation, health insurance and visa fees also add up quickly.
Scholarships are an option but they are hard to find and secure.
So, how do you bridge the gap between what your family can pay and the total cost?
The most reliable approach for study abroad financial planning is a mix of scholarships and loans. If you combine a loan with a scholarship, you can:
- Cut upfront costs through grants.
- Borrow only the gap amount, reducing interest.
- Build a stronger visa-ready financial plan that lenders and embassies both accept.
Delhi has no shortage of study abroad consultants. However, getting reliable advice on proper student financing options can be challenging. So, in this guide, we will look at scholarships and loan options for international students and how to use both tools effectively.
Importance of scholarships and loan options for studying abroad
Scholarships and loans are two of the most common ways to cover expenses for studies abroad.
But how do scholarships reduce your financial burden? They can cut your tuition bill up front.
- For example, the Oxford & Cambridge Society of India award offers up to INR 4 lakh to top performers.
- The Fulbright-Nehru International Fellowship is also one of the most comprehensive scholarships that offers tuition coverage, a living stipend, J-1 visa support, and airfare to Indian students.
- Need-based programmes, like the National Overseas Scholarship, can cover up to 100 per cent of fees plus a USD 15,400 yearly stipend for SC/DNT students.
However, securing these funds is not guaranteed. You might win a scholarship that only covers tuition fees and still fall short as living costs and travel remain unfunded.
Can Loans Fill the Gap Between Study Abroad Expenses and Aid?
When scholarship funds fall short, education loans can help you finance the remaining costs. Public sector banks finance tuition and living at floating rates around 7.5 to 10.1 % p.a. Whereas, private banks and NBFCs, offer study abroad loans in Delhi with interest rates typically between 9% and 15% per annum.
You might wonder, how do I use scholarships and loan options together?
Generally, it is best to apply for scholarships first and then fill remaining needs with a low-rate loan. This dual track strategy maximizes your financial flexibility and minimizes long-term debt.
Top study abroad scholarships for Delhi students in 2025
What are the top merit-based and need-based scholarships? The most valuable study abroad scholarships that Delhi students should consider include government-funded scholarships. These are offered by the Indian government and the Indian embassies of foreign countries, like the UK.
Government Scholarships For Indian Students
| Scholarship | Administered by | Coverage & Benefits | Criteria / Website |
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | Full tuition fees, living allowances, return airfare | Need-based (nosmsje.gov.in) |
| Fulbright-Nehru International Fellowship | US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | Tuition & fees; living stipend; accident & sickness coverage; round-trip airfare | Merit-based (usief.org.in) |
| Chevening Scholarships | UK Government (Chevening Secretariat) | University tuition fees; monthly stipend; travel costs; arrival/departure allowances; visa application cost | Merit-based (chevening.org) |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK FCDO) | Full tuition fees; living stipend; travel grants (to/from UK & study-related) | Merit-based (cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk) |
Private Scholarships and University-Specific Programs
There are several other university-specific scholarships for international students. You can check the official funding or financial-aid pages of each target university
| How to find and apply for study abroad scholarships from Delhi? In addition to official portals, you can use third-party websites that list multiple scholarships in one place. |
Best education loans for Delhi students in 2025
Traditional banks and fintech companies are popular among students in Delhi looking to study abroad.
Public sector banks offer some of the best loans for students who can pledge collateral, whereas NBFCs such as Avanse and Credila are suitable for high-value, non-collateral loans.
Here are some of the best loan options for Delhi residents:
| Lender | Loan amount | Interest rate | Processing fee |
| SBI – Global Ed-Vantage | ₹7.5 lakh to ₹3 crore (with collateral) | 9.15% p.a. (with collateral) | ₹10,000 per application |
| Credila (formerly HDFC Credila) | Customised; up to 100% of cost (no fixed cap stated) | 9.95% (with collateral), 11.25% p.a. (without collateral) | Varies by file |
| Avanse Financial Services | ₹10 lakh to ₹1.25 crore | Floating rate = Base rate (14.55%) + spread (profile-based) | 1–2% of loan amount (case-to-case) |
| MPOWER Financing (US/Canada only) | US$2,001–100,000 | Fixed rates as low as 9.99% (11.16% APR) | 6.5% one-time origination |
In addition to the above-mentioned lenders, other PSB banks also provide education loans, such as SBI’s Global Ed-Vantage scheme (7.50 – 10.10 % p.a.), PNB’s PM Vidyalaxmi scheme (7.50 % p.a.), IDBI Bank (7 % – 11.70 % p.a.) and Axis Bank (6.50 % – 14.35 % p.a.).
International scholarships for Indian students
What are some global scholarships open to Indian applicants? There are several country-specific funding programs that Delhi students can apply for in 2025, some include:
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)
Erasmus+ funds Joint master’s programmes across Europe. It covers tuition, travel, living costs, and insurance, with study periods at least three partner universities.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) sponsors numerous scholarships for Indian students. These include short-term research grants, development-oriented master’s awards and PhD scholarships. These schemes cover tuition, monthly stipends, travel allowances, and language courses.
Fulbright-Nehru (USA)
The Fulbright-Nehru scholarship offers 1–2 year master’s grants plus research support for professionals with 3 plus years of work experience in the USA.
Orange Tulip (Netherlands)
Nuffic’s scheme awards about 50 Indian students full or partial fee waivers at Dutch universities, with deadlines around April 2025.
While full scholarships cover 100 per cent of fees, they demand strong profiles. Loans can also finance 80–100 per cent of tuition and living but they demand repayment with interest. Let’s compare the pros and cons of scholarship and loan education financing options.
Comparing scholarships and loan options
There are multiple benefits of a scholarship but they might fall short of covering your full cost of attendance or living abroad. Scholarships also often close 6–10 months before your intake, while loan applications can be sanctioned within 15 days of complete documents.
Here are some points to compare both options based on different criteria.
| Criteria | Scholarships | Loans |
| Timeline & Disbursement Speed | Applications usually open 8–12 months before the intake. Results are announced 3–6 months before classes | Sanction letters arrive within 2–4 weeks once documents are complete. Less than 2 weeks with fast-track NBFCs. |
| Eligibility & Conditions | High academic merit, strong statements of purpose, references, or leadership credentials. | Solid credit profile, co-applicant income, or pledged collateral; processing fees. |
| Financial Cost & Repayment / Total Cost vs Obligations | Directly lowers your out-of-pocket expenses. | Interest accrues over the tenure; EMIs start after the grace period. |
| Ease of Access | Flagship schemes have a < 15 % win-rate, highly competitive. | 90 % approval for secured public-bank loans when collateral papers are solid. |
| Documentation | Essays, recommendation letters, transcripts, proof of achievements, strict deadlines. | Admission offer, cost-of-attendance sheet, KYC, income proofs, collateral documents (if any). |
Should you prioritise scholarships over loans? Ideally, yes. You must exhaust all your eligible grant options first to cut borrowing costs. However, in most cases, a blended strategy of applying to scholarships first, then topping up with a low-rate loan works best.
How to combine scholarships and loan options smartly?
The key is to sequence your scholarships and loan options effectively. Begin by mapping out your total study budget for your entire degree, including:
- tuition,
- accommodation,
- insurance,
- visa fees, and
- living costs.
If you win partial awards, use loans only for the remaining shortfall from your list of expenses to minimize borrowing costs.
- To boost your odds, you should apply early to multiple but a manageable number of targeted, eligibility-matched scholarships. Adjust each application to specific requirements.
- To fast-track your loan applications, gather all documents, such as transcripts, admission letters, and KYC proofs. Some lenders disburse funds in just a few days after approval, while others take up to two weeks.
Pro tip: Confirm with your bank whether they require any extra checks (like a co-applicant’s income proof) to avoid last-minute delays.
Application process and timeline for Delhi students
So, when should you start applying for loans and scholarships? What timeline helps you line up loan disbursal right after a scholarship award? Begin shortlisting and preparing applications about 9–12 months ahead. Most scholarships for fall study open between August and October 2025, with results announced by January – March.
On the other hand, university-specific awards often have deadlines between November and February. Meanwhile, you can apply for loans, which typically need 4–6 weeks for sanctioning. Start paperwork the moment you reach the scholarship interview stage.
Next, sync disbursal dates between the scholarship grant and the education loan. Ask the lender to release tuition after the scholarship credit shows in your university account. That avoids overlaps and keeps your loan and scholarship combo tidy for auditors and embassies.
It is also important to monitor currency swings. If the rupee weakens sharply, request the bank to top-up the sanctioned amount within the original limit. Most student financing options allow one such revision without fresh collateral.
| What are some platforms for finding information on scholarships and loans?
Students can track updates on portals. Use Vidya Lakshmi and the National Scholarship Portal for government schemes. University sites list campus-specific awards. For loans, check your bank’s online tracker or platforms like GradRight’s loan search platform. |
Final Thoughts
You’ve seen how top scholarships can wipe out tens of thousands in fees, and loans can cover the rest. To get the best funding for your abroad education finances in Delhi, you can do the following:
- Stay organised with a checklist of documents like KYC, transcripts, admission letter, co-applicant proofs.
- Leverage reputable education-finance platforms in Delhi to navigate documentation, bank negotiation, and application nuances for a smoother process.
Above all, start planning your expenses early, at least 12 months in advance. Early action and a clear plan turn a daunting cost into a manageable investment in your future.
FAQs
1. What are the top scholarships for Delhi students going abroad in 2025?
Top picks that cover tuition, living, or both include National Overseas Scholarship, Chevening, Fulbright-Nehru, DAAD EPOS, and Inlaks Shivdasani.
2. Which banks offer the best education loans in Delhi for international studies?
SBI Global Ed-Vantage, PNB Vidyalakshi, HDFC Credila, Avanse, and InCred stand out for competitive rates, high limits, and quick digital processing.
3. Can I apply for both a loan and scholarship together to study abroad?
Yes. Scholarships reduce the amount you need to borrow, and lenders often view award winners as lower-risk. This may improve your loan terms.
4. How do I find international scholarships open to Indian students?
You can find international scholarships by visiting embassy websites, and university funding pages. Students can also find university-specific scholarships on university websites. Some platforms like Buddy4Study also list multiple scholarships online.
5. What documents are required for study abroad financing in Delhi?
Students in Delhi looking to finance their studies abroad usually need documents, including ID, address proof, academic transcripts, admission letter with fee details, passport-size photos, co-applicant’s income proof (ITRs, salary slips) and bank statements.
